Cajun Honey Salmon (Printer-friendly)
Spiced salmon fillets baked with a sweet honey butter glaze for a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
→ Cajun Spice Mix
02 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - 3/4 tsp dried thyme
06 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Honey Glaze
10 - 3 tbsp honey
11 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
12 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
→ For Cooking
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
14 - Fresh chopped parsley
15 - Lemon wedges
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly to incorporate all spices evenly.
03 - Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Press Cajun spice mixture firmly onto the top and sides of each fillet, ensuring even coverage.
04 - Place seasoned salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down if applicable. Space fillets evenly to allow proper heat circulation.
05 - Whisk together honey, fresh lemon juice, and melted unsalted butter in a separate small bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
06 - Spoon half of the honey mixture evenly over the top of each salmon fillet, ensuring the spiced surface is lightly coated.
07 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until salmon reaches desired doneness and flakes easily when tested with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F for fully cooked fish.
08 - Remove from oven and brush salmon with remaining honey glaze. Switch oven to broil and return salmon for 1 to 2 minutes until glaze bubbles and caramelizes lightly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
09 - Transfer salmon to serving plates. Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley and accompany with lemon wedges for squeezing over the finished dish.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The way the honey creates these gorgeous sticky caramelized spots that everyone fights over
- How something this impressive-looking comes together in under 30 minutes on a weeknight
02 -
- Don't skip the paper towel step and dry those fillets thoroughly, or the spices won't stick properly
- Watch the broiler like a hawk because honey goes from perfect caramelized to burned in seconds
03 -
- Room temperature salmon cooks more evenly, so let it sit out for 15 minutes before starting
- If you want to double the glaze for extra sauce, you won't regret it